Acute Effect of Resistance Training With Blood Flow Restriction on Perceptual Responses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Published in: Sports health 2022-11, p.19417381221131533
• Main Authors: de Queiros, Victor Sabino, Rolnick, Nicholas, Dos Santos, Ísis Kelly, de França, Ingrid Martins, Lima, Rony Jerônimo, Vieira, João Guilherme, Aniceto, Rodrigo Ramalho, Neto, Gabriel Rodrigues, de Medeiros, Jason Azevedo, Vianna, Jeferson Macedo, de Araújo Tinôco Cabral, Breno Guilherme, Silva Dantas, Paulo Moreira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1941-0921

Several studies have compared perceptual responses between resistance exercise with blood flow restriction and traditional resistance exercise (non-BFR). However, the results were contradictory. To analyze the effect of RE+BFR versus non-BFR resistance exercise [low-load resistance exercise (LL-RE) or high-load resistance exercise (HL-RE)] on perceptual responses. CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed , Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched through August 28, 2021, and again on August 25, 2022. Studies comparing the effect of RE+BFR versus non-BFR resistance exercise on rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and muscle pain/discomfort were considered. Meta-analyses were conducted using the random effects model. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Level 2. All data were reviewed and extracted independently by 2 reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Thirty studies were included in this review. In a fixed repetition scheme, the RPE [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.04; < 0.01] and discomfort (SMD = 1.10; < 0.01) were higher in RE+BFR than in non-BFR LL-RE, but similar in sets to voluntary failure. There were no significant differences in RPE in the comparisons between RE+BFR and non-BFR HL-RE; after sensitivity analyses, it was found that the RPE was higher in non-BFR HL-RE in a fixed repetition scheme. In sets to voluntary failure, discomfort was higher in RE+BFR versus non-BFR HL-RE (SMD = 0.95; < 0. 01); however, in a fixed scheme, the results were similar. In sets to voluntary failure, RPE is similar between RE+BFR and non-BFR exercise. In fixed repetition schemes, RE+BFR seems to promote higher RPE than non-BFR LL-RE and less than HL-RE. In sets to failure, discomfort appears to be similar between LL-RE with and without BFR; however, RE+BFR appears to promote greater discomfort than HL-RE. In fixed repetition schemes, the discomfort appears to be no different between RE+BFR and HL-RE, but is lower in non-BFR LL-RE.